A
model of the Large Binocular Telescope structure to be built
at Mount Graham, Ariz. More on the LBT is available online at:
http://mgpc3.as.arizona.edu/.

By Fariss Samarrai

Five
representatives of the University came away from a recent trip to
Arizona with a greater understanding of the complexities surrounding
its proposed partnership in a large binocular telescope consortium.
No decision has been made as to whether U.Va. will join the telescope
partnership.

The
trip to the Mount Graham International Observatory and the surrounding
area April 6-9 included meetings with Apache tribal members, activists,
local elected officials and representatives of the University of
Arizona. U.Va. is the first university to visit with Apache tribal
members regarding possible membership in the telescope consortium.

The
U.Va. group believes that the visit was valuable, said Gene
D. Block, vice president and provost of U.Va. It provided
an opportunity to hear from a larger group of tribal members and
leaders than would have been possible in Charlottesville.
Other members of the visiting group were Ellen Contini-Morava, chair
of the anthropology department; Virginia Hymes, a retired anthropology
professor; Robert Rood, chair of the astronomy department; and Steve
Majewski, an astronomy professor.

The
visiting group held a press briefing April 18 to discuss their findings
during the trip. Full story.

Budget includes bonuses, budget
cuts

By Matt Kelly

Virginia
legislators gave final approval April 17 to Gov. Mark Warners
plan to speed up bonuses for state employees this year.

Meeting
in a one-day, reconvened session, the General Assembly OKd
Warners budget amendment moving state employee bonuses from
Dec. 31 to Aug. 30. The one-time, 2.5 percent payments do not become
part of base pay.

Employees
will have the option of taking up to two weeks of additional leave
instead of a bonus, or a combination of leave and bonus. Employees
taking the leave option have from July 1, 2002 until June 30, 2003
to use the additional leave time. Full
story.